Blood pressure update.

audioguru said:

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for keeping us infomed that your "new" vision is coming along slowly but nicely.

Did you notice that colours are much more vivid and the many stars and moon at night look amazing?

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Yes, everything is so much clearer - although the first eye made the biggest difference, the second one has mostly restored stereo vision

Did you see any pretty young ladies far away yet? Or close-up yet? There were a couple of them in the hospital but most nurses are huge ocean liners.

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I was disappointed in the second op, first time I was taken to the pre-op room (or pre-op cubby hole!) by two gorgeous young ladies this time I got a bloke about 40!

However, the nurse who wheeled me out to the recovery room was young and attractive

There's a good selection of nurses where I was, certainly some were older and 'not quite so attractive', but there's a fair few lovely ones as well - enough to keep you interested!.

Quick update

Weaned of the morphine patch!!!!!!! Talked the pain management dr into trying it without some of the narcotics. Was a little rough at the start but things settled back down fairly quickly. I am one step closer to returning to the water and diving again. I have been cleared by my vascular surgeon to 60 feet but wanted to wait till I was off so much of the mind bending stuff to insure I have good judgement. Anyway things are progressing, sometimes slowly but they continue to creep the way I need to go.
Bob

Rbeckett said:

Weaned of the morphine patch!!!!!!! Talked the pain management dr into trying it without some of the narcotics. Was a little rough at the start but things settled back down fairly quickly. I am one step closer to returning to the water and diving again. I have been cleared by my vascular surgeon to 60 feet but wanted to wait till I was off so much of the mind bending stuff to insure I have good judgement. Anyway things are progressing, sometimes slowly but they continue to creep the way I need to go.
Bob

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I'm pleased you're 'coming along' - pity about losing the Morphine though

I spent 10 happy days on Pethadine many years ago , when I had Glandular Fever - I can throughly recommend it as a pain killer.

It's VERY rare I ever take painkillers, but I always notice that you take a couple and nothing much seems to happen - with the Pethadine you took it, and counted one, two threeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! - never made four

Rbeckett said:

Weaned of the morphine patch!!!!!!! Talked the pain management dr into trying it without some of the narcotics. Was a little rough at the start but things settled back down fairly quickly. I am one step closer to returning to the water and diving again. I have been cleared by my vascular surgeon to 60 feet but wanted to wait till I was off so much of the mind bending stuff to insure I have good judgement. Anyway things are progressing, sometimes slowly but they continue to creep the way I need to go.
Bob

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Glad, your on the mend. (Bob)

Nigel, " One Two Three" . hahaha

Reminds me of the Operating Table. The next thing you hear is "How you doing?" what I didn't even leave the waiting room? When's the surgery. hhahaha

I was lucky, "I didn't need the pain killers." I thought I would because of what other's said about the surgery.

It wasn't until I was given a low dose morphine injection in the ER that I could then understand how people can easily become addicted to narcotics. Even a low dose produced enough of a comforting euphoria that I would have liked to take some home with me! I still remember that day lying on a hospital bed, thinking how wonderful and trouble-free life was! Getting weaned off of pain killers and narcotics in general, must be a difficult process.

It is, or can be. I've been taking Fiorinal which contains a barbituate for 25+ years. Only one time frame I took it for the wrong reason. What a pain to get back to my normal, as needed, schedule. I'm on others, long term and "AS needed". I'm convinced that as long as there is a genuine need, I'll be fine.

Yea I'm getting longer sited as the years go bye and I'm glad I got those head lenses so I can do smd work. Years ago when I had to go in for an OP the guy gave me an injection and said count to 3, after I counted to 7 he said I best give you somemore. Then I counted to 7 again but in a groggy voice but didn't go under. The nurse said give him the better stuff and he won't count past 2 and be out for the rest of the day. Well she was right about the count but 2-1/2 hours later Led Zeppelin were playing so I woke up and started whistling. The nurse came up and said with the drugs we gave you YOU should of been out for another 6 hours. I simply said you better have some better stuff if you wanna knock me out..... The following day I got it and was non compo for 3 days.......

Cheers Bryan

I'm a bit short sighted, but I can see the distance reasonably well.

My first op was in 1964 to remove an infected finger nail,

The nurse said to count to 10 & after about 5 the doctor's voice started to echo.

When I awoke, I could not even lift my head off the pillow and my eyes were blurry.

It took quite a while before I could move my head, then longer to move the arms, etc.

But these days, you wake up very quickly. The anaesthetics have certainly improved.

KeepItSimpleStupid said:

It is, or can be. I've been taking Fiorinal which contains a barbituate for 25+ years. Only one time frame I took it for the wrong reason. What a pain to get back to my normal, as needed, schedule. I'm on others, long term and "AS needed". I'm convinced that as long as there is a genuine need, I'll be fine.

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Yeah I still have the heavy hitters when the pain requires it, but I try to keep that to a minimum. I would rather walk around in a little pain than sit in my wheel chair slobbering and spilling my coffee. Spilling the coffee is considered cafiene abuse in our home and that will get you sent to the ER quick fast and in a big hurry. In addition to the heavy hitters they supply plenty of other stuff too, so I can try lower doses before I dig out the heavy artillery. Hydromorphone 4 Mg every 4 hours tends to deaden everything....
Bob

My neurolgist once said that because I have a variety of drugs to chose from (Ativan, Oxycontin, Fiorinal, Neurontin, Zomig (Cerebral blood vessel reducer), ice, Percoset) I'm less likely to ever get dependent. Each one has a specific reason to be used and in some cases are used together.

Neurontin - Used in massive dossages (up to 3600 mg/day) as a preventative with Wellbutrin as a counter side effect agent
Zomig - Only works when the headache is severe. won't work when it's not. Limited to 6/month and 2/day. Typically used with ice.
Artivan - Typically used at night only. Allows sleep.
Fiorinal - My staple. Caffeine can be bad in the evening. Cafeine dramatically helps the asthma which is also weather triggered.
Oxycotin - The best pain reliever. Most of the time doesn't exceed 30 mg in 24 hrs. Occaisional blips to 50 mg/day.
Percoset - Usually an evening med. I don't tolerate Tylenol well.

It's against general practice to use Oxycontin PRN.

I suffer from severe weather induced migraines and some induced by foods. There is a hereditary component. The cure for the weather migraines is probably moving. Question is where? The cure for the food induced migraines are dillution, avoidance, minimization and time.

I've been to two major headache centers and had a great neurologist who was willing to try just about anything including Botox. I came up with Oxycontin. He came up with Oxymorphone. I liked Oxycontin better even though Oxymorphone is supposed to be stronger.


Neutrasweet must be avoided at all costs. Vinegar and nitrates can be used in moderation. i.e. No vinegar and oil salad dressings.

My neurolgist once said that because I have a variety of drugs to chose from (Ativan, Oxycontin, Fiorinal, Neurontin, Zomig (Cerebral blood vessel reducer), ice, Percoset) I'm less likely to ever get dependent. Each one has a specific reason to be used and in some cases are used together.

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I would not presume to argue with a doctor but in this case I will have to disagree with the doctor this time. Ativan, oxy and percoset to just name but a few from your laundry list of drugs are highly addictive. Ativan aka, Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine or benzo and this drug alone has many unwanted consequences after long term use.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur after taking therapeutic doses of Ativan for as little as one week. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, restlessness, confusion, irritability, sweating, dysphoria, dizziness, derealization, depersonalization, numbness/tingling of extremities, hypersensitivity to light, sound, and smell, perceptual distortions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, hallucinations, delirium, seizures, tremor, stomach cramps, myalgia, agitation, palpitations, tachycardia, panic attacks, short-term memory loss, and hyperthermia.

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Lorazepam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Having worked on an ambulance, I have seen what meds like what you have mentioned can do. And don't get me started to discuss the pitfalls of oxy and percoset. Surely you must know those are opiates?

If you are suffering migraines, you might want to consult an allergist, and also consider making some life changes such as diet and exercise. Just a suggestion, but I would try to get off those meds if I were you.

I do see an allergist and am getting shots for tree pollen and ragweed. I have to do diet too, because I'm an insulin dependent diabetic. Ativan is bad for long time use, agreed. It's rarely used. Percoset (7.5-500) is rarely used also. April, May and November are major migraine months. December through March is usually very mild. When I see a particularly stormy long-term weather pattern approaching, that's when the high doses of neurontin kick in. I do keep a migraine log. I can go from 4 headaches a month to 20 headaches a month. The specific trigger is the absolute value of the second derivative of barometric pressure vs time being greater than .040"/hr^2. When life calms down a bit, I may try John's Hopkins. Today has been particualrly bad. Large hail and major thunderstorms is being forcast for tomorrow, so no surprise. I've also found Benecar to be useful too. If I don't medicate my BP easily goes up to 165/95. It tracks the weather too. The migraine usually starts 0-48 hrs before it rains. Once it starts raining it starts to get better. Then my body has to recover before I feel right again.

I've had the migraines ever since I was 16 years old. I sought treatment when I was about 22 when aspirin would not work anymore. As time progressed, it seems the storm activity has gotten worse based on articles in the paper and the major weather systems that have been in the news. Many psychiatric drugs, anti-psychotic drugs, anti-epilypic drugs, anti-depresants, Botox. Topamax (also known as Dopomax) and Effexor were the worst tolerated. A hyperbaric chamber has not been tried nor has a space suit.

Any help is appreciated. The active doc ran out of ideas. The current doc is maintaining what has been found to work by neurologists typically specializing in migraine. One neurologist would not see me unless I saw a psychiatrist at the same time. I was also evaluated for possible biofeedback. Unfortunately, what i have learned is that it will be a trial and error approach with no flow chart with a doctor willing to manage risks. If I don't get adequate pain relief bad things happen.

KeepItSimpleStupid said:

My neurolgist once said that because I have a variety of drugs to chose from (Ativan, Oxycontin, Fiorinal, Neurontin, Zomig (Cerebral blood vessel reducer), ice, Percoset) I'm less likely to ever get dependent. Each one has a specific reason to be used and in some cases are used together.

Neurontin - Used in massive dossages (up to 3600 mg/day) as a preventative with Wellbutrin as a counter side effect agent
Zomig - Only works when the headache is severe. won't work when it's not. Limited to 6/month and 2/day. Typically used with ice.
Artivan - Typically used at night only. Allows sleep.
Fiorinal - My staple. Caffeine can be bad in the evening. Cafeine dramatically helps the asthma which is also weather triggered.
Oxycotin - The best pain reliever. Most of the time doesn't exceed 30 mg in 24 hrs. Occaisional blips to 50 mg/day.
Percoset - Usually an evening med. I don't tolerate Tylenol well.



It's against general practice to use Oxycontin PRN.

I suffer from severe weather induced migraines and some induced by foods. There is a hereditary component. The cure for the weather migraines is probably moving. Question is where? The cure for the food induced migraines are dillution, avoidance, minimization and time.

I've been to two major headache centers and had a great neurologist who was willing to try just about anything including Botox. I came up with Oxycontin. He came up with Oxymorphone. I liked Oxycontin better even though Oxymorphone is supposed to be stronger.


Neutrasweet must be avoided at all costs. Vinegar and nitrates can be used in moderation. i.e. No vinegar and oil salad dressings.

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Some people aren't aware of LUPUS. I got it because of my Parents. It will attack your, Brain, lungs, skin, organs or basically most connective tissue in your body. This can be something that will respond to environmental conditions and cause Exacerbations (Frequency's in attacks). What ever I'm allergic to can cause, the exacerbations. Knowing what you are allergic to and staying away from it will help, a clean safe room. Just try to keep away from exposure. You may try to get some injections to allow the immune system develop counter measure's to keep the immune system from kicking and causing attacks.

In the end you possibly are just treating the symptoms and not the illness. Age will allow it to progress. Sadly managing rather than treating is the only option.

That is if you have an immune system disease of this kind.

kv

I'm aware of that one. My mom's friend has it. She moves to Florida for the winter months because of it and moves close to her kids during the summer months. A relative had Polycytemia Vera (too many red blood cells) and she had a friend with too many whites.

Hey!!!!!!!
Quick update .... Next time I log in I will be the only guy you know with a titanium quick disconect sticking out of him...... I gat a PD catheter tommorrow so I can start staying home and treating my kidney failure myself at night. Hopefully my days will be free to tinker in my shop or on my new electronics lab workbench. Been busy the last three months studying the AAC text in earnest and gathering bench stock parts from all over the world. I'm getting excited and can hardly wait till the surgery is done and I dont have to drive an hour each way to a 4 hour treatment on three days a week. Gonna save me at least 150 bucks a month in gas right away. I'm diggin that. Hope everybody else is well, and watch for dependence on any opiod. It can happen easilly and sneakily too. Have a great day Nigel and the rest of my lame, lazy and crazy brothers. I'll let everybody know when I am back and up to snuff again. That should be pretty quick too!!!
Bob
Bob

Good luck!

Kidney failure is nasty. I hope you get better soon.

I had a heart attack 3.5 years ago, got two clogged (cholesterol) heart arteries stented quickly so no damage was caused to my heart.
My Cardiologist (heart specialist doctor) saw me every 6 months for the first 1.5 years. Recently he saw me after 1 year and said I am fine and I have graduated so he does not want to see me for two years then probably never again.

My blood pressure has always been a little above normal and following the heart attack I was given prescriptions for a drug to reduce blood pressure and another drug to slow down the beating of my heart so that each beat is stronger but less frequent.
The blood pressure drug reduced my blood pressure only sometimes so recently my family doctor added a second blood pressure reducing drug. Then my blood pressure was always VERY low. The doc asked if I faint, get dizzy or feel weak. I said no, I feel fine.
The doc told me to cut the second blood pressure drug in half then my blood pressure increased but was still a little low.
My Cardiologist wants my blood pressure to increase to normal so he told me to also cut the first blood pressure reducing drug in half for one week then take half every second day for 10 days then stop taking it. The first week is nearly finished and some days my blood pressure is too high and other days it is too low. But I feel fine. Now what?

I think my blood pressure is high whenever I see a pretty young lady. But there are millions of them all over the place!
I guess need to be blindfolded.

ag:

Ask your doc about Angiotensin_II receptor antagonists. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiotensin_II_receptor_antagonist Benicar, which is a brand name for one of them, You can't really overdose on them. More of the drug doesn't mean that the BP will go down further, it just means that the vessels resist constricting. The drug is essentially self-limiting.

Unfortunately, it's not now covered by insurance and I have to work on that. My BP is all over the map and the map includes normal. I can't control the trigger which is mostly weather.

With old age must come all these things of ill. I have been diagnosed with avascular necrosis in my hip and knee.

Ste56phanief said:

bad buisness for the human body. **broken link removed**

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Good business for the doctors. Baby boomers.